What are the advantages of hydroelectric power?

1. Water is a free resource found in abundance in the highlands of Sri Lanka and is the fuel for hydroelectric     power.

• 2. Water is a cheap source of power
• 3. No fuel combustion means little air pollution in comparison with fossil fuel plants
• 4. Limited thermal pollution compared with nuclear plants
• 5. No waste products are formed, nor does it pollute the water
• 6. Hydro electricity generation is far more consistent than other power systems as hydropower is generated 24     hours a day, all year round

What does hydropower cost?

Producing hydro power bears varying costs depending on the type and capacity of the power plant. Production is much cheaper per kilowatt at a large hydroelectric plant.

Hydropower production at plants costs 1/3 of similar production at fossil fuel or nuclear power plants.      

What are the major components of a hydroelectric power plant?
The major components of a run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant are:

• 1. Channels
• 2. Surge chambers
• 3. Penstock
• 4. Underground and surface power house
• 5. Tailrace channel or tailrace tunnel

What is the classification of hydro projects based on installed capacity?  

• Micro: Up to 100 KW
• Mini: 101KW to 2 MW
• Small: More than 2 mW to 10 MW
• Large: 10 MW and above
• Mega: Hydro projects with installed capacity >= 500 MW
• Thermal Projects with installed capacity >= 1500 MW